611.94231/53
The Japanese Embassy to the Department of State 22
The Japanese Government has been obliged to order all America-bound passenger ships now at sea to cancel their call at United States ports in view of the danger of their cargoes being frozen upon unloading and the present circumstances that render it impossible to reload them because of the claims by the consignees of the cargoes and other obstacles.
This suspension of shipping is of course temporary. The Japanese Government is prepared to order the resumption of service as soon as an arrangement is reached to permit the continuance of trade under the present conditions between Japan and America and to facilitate the exchange of goods upon specified conditions.
- Handed to the Secretary of State by the Japanese Ambassador on August 6. This aide-mémoire was brought to the attention of the Assistant Secretary of State (Acheson), who expressed the opinion that no action should be taken at that time and that, in view of the strong attitude of the Japanese and of the absence of some indication of a desire to be helpful, the Department of State should maintain a strong attitude.↩